Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre
707 7th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10036
707 7th Avenue,
New York,
NY
10036
39 people
favorited this theater
Showing 901 - 925 of 1,094 comments
So it’s been neglected in one way or another since soon after its opening.
The theaters I couldn’t remember were the Film Forum on Houston Street in New York City. The man who programs Film Forum 2, where they have the revivals, is Bruce Goldstein:
He could be the “white knight” who could save the Mayfair/DeMille/Embassy for Cinerama and 70 MM revivals, if he hasn’t thought of it already. The other possibility could be Disney. They do very well with the El Capitan in Hollywood (which is run for them by Pacific Theaters.) Those little “stage shows” they do along with their movies don’t require a stage house—although they do use most of the stage now—but the shows they produced when they first took over theater were mounted down stage in front of the screen. (They had to be as someone had the dumb idea of installing permanent plaster wall in back of the screen when they renovated the theater.
Anyway…it is just an idea.
Bravo Andy… a great letter and a great idea, but Donald Trump might not be the best person to send it to. From what I can see, having watched The Apprentice a few times, Mr. Trump is only interested in making money. And lots of it, so your Cinerama at the Mayfair idea might not have the profit potential Mr. Trump is looking for. I hope I’m wrong, but a more likely organization to impliment your great idea would be the man who runs the wonderful revival house below Canel Street, I can’t think of his name, or the Lincoln Center Film Society—or even the Museum of Modern Art’s film department. You should write to them too, should Mr. Trump pass.
Great letter Andy !!!!
Thanks, Andy. Wouldn’t it be great if your e-mail had a positive effect? Then they should name the theater after you.
Maybe Donald Trump’s new Apprentice, Kendra, can research just how successful Cinerama is when it’s shown in Los Angeles. I believe the entire 2-week engagement of “How the West Was Won” in 2003 was a sellout or close to it at every showing.
Let us know what he says!
I just sent this e-mail to Donald Trump and thought you all would be interested in reading it:
TO MR. DONALD TRUMP:
First, belated Bravos!!! for your coments on the World Trade Center. The so called “Freedom Tower” is horrible and should not be built. Please use all your power to convince the governor and the mayor that the best thing for New York City is to bring the Twin Towers back just as you have suggested. Perhaps you can post a page on this website were we, the public — perhaps limited to those of us who live or work below Canal Street – can vote to bring the Twin Towers back. After all, we were the ones who were and still are being affected by not having the towers, specially those of us who survived that terribe day.
On another subject, since you are also involved in entertainment, would you be interested in bringing Cinerama back to New York City? Triple projection Cinerama and its huge curved screen debuted right here in New York City at the Broadway Theatre on September 1952. Yet, while Seattle and Los Angeles have Cinerama theatres, New York, “The Capital of the World,” does not. I am sure a Cinerama theater in Times Square, “the crossroads of the world,” would be a terrific tourist attraction and would bring movie loving visitors and money to the city. Besides triple projection Cinerama, the theater could show 70mm spectaculars like “Lawrence of Arabia” as they were intended to be seen. Also, the venue could be used for other movie attractions such as a 3D festival like they had last summer at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Except for the occasional double projection 3D film at the Film Forum, most contemporary New Yorkers have not seen double projection 3D, just as they have not seen Cinerama. Last summer both the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens and the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center celebrated 50 years of wide screen movies. It’s ironic that it was Cinerama that started it all right here in New York City and we don’t have a Cinerama theater.
As for the venue, the abandoned and empty Embassy 2-3-4 (formerly the DeMille, originally the RKO Mayfair) on Seventh Avenue and 47th Street is wide enough for triple projection Cinerama since ir used to play 70mm spectaculars in its heyday. Think about it Mr. Trump, if someone can do it, it’s you.
Let’s bring back the Twin Towers and Cinerama to New York City. Again, if someone can do it, it’s you, Mr. Trump.
Respectfully,
Andrés Roura
I wonder what was shaped like an Octagon? Sounds like it was a showplace when it first opened. I wonder how much they changed it when it became the DeMille…….lost a lot of seats…..Thanks for all the info. I wonder if it would work as a legitimate theater? I seem to remember some concerts being held there in the early 70’s when it was the DeMille, so it must have had some sort of stage. It would be wonderful if it could be saved somehow for some sort of use as a theater/performing arts center.
Thanks so much, Warren. That was a real trip back into the past. I agree with Saps – now more than ever, this theater has to be saved!
My word! I want this theatre to reopen exactly as described above.
Warren, you are some kind of demi-god around here. How are you in real life?
Very interesting. I can certainly attest to the “unusual height”, as I had to climb to the top of the theatre to get to the booth. “Unusual height” indeed!
Wow 2,300 seats? Obviously must have lost some over the years. Thanks for posting this (and the cont’d!)
Oh brother. Another Embassy Theater.
Don’t forget about the Embassy 5, formerly The Victoria, at 46th & B'way.
The Metropole was a good jazz bar, though not a great one. After all, W. 52 Street was only a few blocks north. The Metropole caught the out-of-town tourist who didn’t know better. Behind the Mayfair on W. 47 Street stood the Steuben House, a once-decent Theater District restaurant for German food und ersatze Gemutlichkeit. Other reasonable restaurants lined W. 48 Street before Sam Ash grew elephantine.
I believe when those theatres orinally opened they were called Agee Screening Room 1 and 2 and had initially played independent and foreign films (mostly Spanish) for a few months and as Warren stated descended into porno.
Didn’t the gentleman’s club used to be the Metropole Cafe back in the ‘60’s (and probably before that)? The opening sequence of “The Odd Couple” with Jack Lemmon was filmed there.
William, yes…and I’ve asked before but I don’t think anyone knows or hasn’t answered. One is presently known as the Sage Theater (it’s clearly marked) and has the American Girl sign on it’s marquee. And the Lace “Gentleman’s Club” looks like it was in a theater but it’s occupying a basement space because when you go in, you go downstairs. Uh…I know this because…uh…friends have told me? Ok, ok…I was in it for a bachelor party!
Isn’t there two small theatres just north of the Mayfair? There two other small marquees, one is using the lobby as a store and the other is a gentlemen’s club. (next to Magno 729 7th Ave.)
And that was? The Roxy?
Well, TJ…technically speaking, the Granddaddy of all movie palaces was located just off 7th on 50th Street, a mere 3 blocks north of the Mayfair/DeMille/Embassy.
Were there any other Times Sq. theaters north of the DeMille on 7th, or was this the last one? (I mean older theaters)
If only, Chris. Why was the name changed to the Embassy when there was allready another theater with that name? Anyone know? Doesnt make sense to me. Why didnt they just call it the Demille 1,2,3?
Here’s an ad for “Close Encounters” with the Ziegfeld Walter Reade logo. You can also see the Walter Reade corporate symbol, next to the words “A Walter Reade Theatre”. The date is November 17, 1977.
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